Press Releases

The Department of Mental Health Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH), in collaboration with the Kent Center, has received a $312,081 federal grant from the Center for Mental Health Services. The project, entitled “Rhode Island’s Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery Program – Priority to Veterans”, will address the needs of individuals with mental illness such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma related disorders involved in the justice system. In recognition of the dramatically higher prevalence of trauma related disorders among veterans, this program will prioritize eligibility for veterans.

“The men and women who serve in our Armed Forces with bravery, dignity, and honor deserve to have access to quality programs to help transition back to civilian life,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “This grant will further the already excellent programs offered by MHRH and the Kent Center that help our veterans and their families.”

RI will be using the Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery (TAMAR) promising practice that is promoted by National Center on Trauma Informed Care. Services will be centered at the Kent Center in Warwick, RI. Craig Stenning, MHRH Director, stated, “the Kent Center has an excellent track record of engaging in trauma-informed training and promoting trauma-informed care internally and within other institutions like RI’s women’s prison.”

Gary Alexander, Secretary of the Office of Health and Human Services (OHHS) added "The documented increase in PTSD seen in our returning veterans underscores why these services are so important. Our soldiers have supported us and now we need to have services available to support them. I commend MHRH for their past work in this area which led to the awarding of this very competitive grant."

Stenning continued, “We are very pleased that the federal government recognized our past work to address the needs of veterans, returning soldiers and their families by selecting RI for this grant. These funds will allow us to expand our efforts to help veterans and others suffering PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.”